Planning Minister, Brandon Lewis MP, recently announced that a panel of experts has been created to analyse and improve the local plan-making process. The group includes representatives from local authorities, the legal industry, and developers, and is tasked with simplifying the process to greatly reduce the time it takes for Local Authorities to implement the Local Plan.

To conform to the National Planning Policy Framework, every local planning authority in England is expected to have an up-to-date Local Plan. More than a third of local planning authorities have failed to adopt Local Plans to date.

The intention of the expert panel is to speed up the planning process, which will allow for faster development, and deliver much-needed homes and infrastructure across the country. This also means conveyancing solicitors will have to ensure they are kept abreast of current and future planning policy and legislation.

Nobody wants to buy a property only to find afterwards that there is going to be a development or change in infrastructure, which could severely affect the use and enjoyment of the property as well as its value.

This is why OneSearch have teamed up with Landmark Information Group, to host the webinar: . The 1-hour CPD presentation takes place next week, on Wednesday 28th October, at 2:00pm.

Paul Maillardet, channel manager, OneSearch Direct said:

“As you can see, planning is fast becoming a hot topic in the industry today. The Local Plan gives communities the opportunity to express their views on development in their area, and is seen as the heart of the planning system. This is why it’s so important for solicitors to understand planning issues in residential and commercial transactions, and be able to determine what constitutes a risk, and what doesn’t.

With this webinar, we can get a clearer picture on ever changing legislation, with case studies to further illustrate the points made. I would thoroughly recommend this session to anyone who would like more information, presented in a relaxed manner from the comfort of your own desk.”

Philip Hill, account manager, Landmark Information Group, comments:

“Managing Planning Risks in Conveyancing is a popular webinar, as there is a great demand for clarification on legislation, and how to avoid negligence pitfalls. With planning reforms on the horizon, and housing targets stretching the flexibility of current regulations, it makes good sense to familiarise yourself with the planning information available, such as applications and land use designations.

This session will demonstrate how to provide clients with information and advice that will ultimately assist in their understanding of relevant planning issues.”

The webinar will take place Wednesday 28th October, at 2:00pm. Registration is limited to 100 places, so please sign up early to avoid disappointment. You can sign up by clicking here.

Associate News is provided by Legal Futures Associates. Find out about becoming an Associate

Legal Futures Blog

Last month, MPs on the justice select committee asked minister Lord Keen what would happen when the government went ahead with its plan to raise the small claims limit for personal injury claims (from £1,000 to £5,000 for road traffic related claims and to £2,000 for everything else). As it is a jurisdiction in which lawyers do not generally operate – because legal costs are not recoverable – who might help claimants navigate what can still be a complex process? His answer, surprisingly, was claims management companies.